A judge sentenced Darius Risberg Watkins, 21, to 16 years to life in prison May 6 for deliberately ramming a man with his car in La Mesa following an altercation outside a Spring Valley restaurant.
Watkins, of Spring Valley, was sentenced for killing Jorge Alberto-Rocha Osuna, 26, on June 16, 2014 following an incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant. Watkins and Osuna did not know each other, but there was a confrontation between them and others at the McDonalds drive through.
A judge sentenced Darius Risberg Watkins, 21, to 16 years to life in prison May 6 for deliberately ramming a man with his car in La Mesa following an altercation outside a Spring Valley restaurant.
Watkins, of Spring Valley, was sentenced for killing Jorge Alberto-Rocha Osuna, 26, on June 16, 2014 following an incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant. Watkins and Osuna did not know each other, but there was a confrontation between them and others at the McDonalds drive through.
Someone began banging on Osuna’s vehicle, which caused him to get out and a fight occurred between two groups. Watkins followed Osuna to his brother’s home in La Mesa.
El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein gave Watkins credit for 691 days in jail. Watkins and his mother spoke. The prosecutor, Will Watkins, who is not related to the defendant, read a letter from the victim’s mother in court.
A jury convicted Darius Watkins Feb. 2 of second-degree murder. Osuna died two days after he was struck.
Santee brothers accused of murder remain in jail
Two Santee brothers who are accused of murder and torture of a homeless man were ordered May 2 to remain in jail on $3 million bail.
Austin Larry Mostrong, 20, and Preston Autry Mostrong, 19, both pleaded not guilty before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein involving the slaying of George Lowery, 50, also of Santee.
“Both brothers admitted to beating and taking part in the attack,” said Deputy District Attorney George Modlin.
Lowery was found hogtied from fishing line and bungee cord and underneath some plywood April 24 near the San Diego River bottom west of Chubb Lane in Santee. He was unconscious and died in a hospital several days later.
Modlin declined to describe the torture inflicted upon Lowery, saying, “The investigation is ongoing.” He said both brothers were on probation at the time for other offenses.
A preliminary hearing was set for May 16.
Lemon Grove and Spring Valley burglars plead guilty
Richard Taylor Fox, 21, and Deanna Rodriguez, 30, will both be sentenced June 24 after pleading guilty to committing four burglaries in Lemon Grove and Spring Valley as well as attempted robberies of two sisters who were both shot.
Fox was the getaway driver and Rodriguez wounded the two sisters in the Little Italy area of San Diego, on July 27, 2014. They pleaded guilty before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielson.
The case against Rodriguez was delayed because she was sent to a state mental hospital after she was found to be mentally incompetent, but she regained her mental fitness and court proceedings resumed.
